The Combuster can be upgraded with use to the Magma Combuster in Tools of Destruction and Quest for Booty, the Magmabuster in Ratchet & Clank 2016, or the Alpha Combuster in Full Frontal Assault. In challenge mode, it can be upgraded to the Omega Magma Combuster or Omega Magmabuster.

Contents

History

Ratchet & Clank (re-imagined)

The re-imagined game describe Captain Qwark's account of events, while the re-imagined film is an in-universe holofilm. As Qwark is an unreliable narrator, and the holofilm is fiction, any events that contradict the original are non-canon (though those which correspond still apply). Please see Project:Bulletin board/Canon for the wiki's coverage of canon.

“

The Combuster is the backbone of the Rangers' arsenal, allowing you to shoot targets in a short to medium range.

”

— Captain Qwark, movie

Combuster as it appears in the movie

In Qwark's retelling and the holofilm, the Combuster was a choice weapon in the Galactic Rangers arsenal, and used by most of both Alonzo Drek's and the Rangers' warbots. Ratchet was granted the weapon on Kerwan as part of his Galactic Ranger training in the holofilm.

In Qwark's retelling, Ratchet obtained the weapon on Veldin shortly after finding Clank in "Return to the garage". The weapon could be upgraded four times to the Magmabuster with use, and with Raritanium from Gadgetron vendors. In challenge mode, the Omega Magmabuster was available for purchase, costing 130,000 bolts, once all the Combuster holocard set was obtained. The set consisted of the Blaster, Combuster, and Dual Vipers holocards.

Raritanium upgrades were also available in Qwark's retelling. Two ammo upgrades granted 50 additional ammo per upgrade, sixteen rate of fire upgrades improved the rate of fire by +10% each upgrade, and seven bonus bolts upgrades improved the bolts earned by +5% each upgrade. Four mystery upgrades were available by unlocking surrounding upgrades: the BOGO Plasma in the middle increased ammo dropped from crates; the Heavy Plasma found on the left knocked back opponents; the Stable Plasma on the right grants extra range; and the Prism Facets upgrade available on upgrading to the Omega Magmabuster fired two extra bullets per shot.

The Pyrocidic Precipitation upgrade was found in Morrow Caverns right before fighting a Pythor and rescuing Talwyn. Ratchet had to turn left and blow down a gate with a Fusion Grenade, knock down the wall of metal crates either with the wrench or another Fusion Grenade, behind which was the upgrade.

All 4 One

The Combuster returned as a stronger weapon, functioning slightly differently. If Ratchet, Clank, Qwark, and Nefarious fired their Combusters at the same target, it brought a powerful blow and the heroes were awarded a damage bonus. It was not upgraded with use, but its ammo could be upgraded for 5,000 bolts, its power upgraded for 10,000 bolts, and it could receive an Elite upgrade for 30,000 bolts.

Full Frontal Assault

In Full Frontal Assault, the Combuster may be obtained by collecting it from weapon pods. With use, it upgraded to the Alpha Combuster at level 3, which functioned similarly to the Magma Combuster but remained as a pistol rather than becoming a larger rifle.

Characteristics

The Combuster, upgrading

The Combuster is a small, yellow and black pistol with a red node behind it, firing flaming balls of plasma. The Magma Combuster is a larger, bulkier carbine with three different barrels identical to the basic Combuster, and is held by Ratchet with a left-hand grip and trigger. The Alpha Combuster and Magmabuster, however, are simply pistols still held in one hand with three barrels.

In All 4 One and Full Frontaul Assault, the red node on the back of the gun turned from red to green.

Combat

The Combuster is an all-purpose weapon initially useful against most targets. Its rate of fire is lower than previous pistols, but it can be effective in dealing damage early on. However, as an early weapon, it eventually becomes greatly outclassed by other weapons. In Tools of Destruction, for instance, its damage is practically obsolete by the time the player reaches Ardolis. At this point, the Combuster transitions from an all-purpose weapon to primarily useful against large mobs of smaller enemies, even in which case it is still outclassed.

In Tools of Destruction and Ratchet & Clank (2016), the Combuster with use upgrades to the Magma Combuster or Magmabuster, both of which grant two additional bullets and spread the rate of fire. This makes it more useful against mobs of smaller enemies. Both games also feature Raritanium upgrades, and the player should prioritize rate of fire upgrades, due to low initial rate of fire of the weapon. Ammo upgrades in Ratchet & Clank are also very valuable, and the BOGO Plasma mystery upgrade which increases ammo dropped in crates makes the weapon much more durable.

The mystery Raritanium upgrades for the weapon in both games also improves its capability of defeating large mobs of smaller enemies. In Tools of Destruction, the Pyrocidic Precipitation upgrade sets fire to the ground, allowing it to damage more enemies. In Ratchet & Clank, the mystery upgrades Heavy Plasma and Stable Plasma also grant it knockback and increase range respectively, making it more useful at dealing with enemies from a range. The Prism Facets mystery upgrade, available to unlock once the Omega Magmabuster is purchased in challenge mode, adds two additional bullets giving it a total of five, allowing it to spread its damage to hit a large number of foes, and solidifying it as a weapon against mobs.

Behind the scenes

In early demos of All 4 One, a different weapon known as the "blaster" initially took the Combuster's place.

In All 4 One and Full Frontal Assault, it uses the same icon as the Constructo Pistol.